Ytterbium silicate layers were deposited on Si3N4 ceramics as environmental barrier coatings (EBCs) by a dip coating-sintering method. Coated samples were tested in an atmosphere simulating the practical conditions of a gas turbine to investigate water vapor corrosion and recession mechanisms of ytterbium silicate coatings. Prior and after tests, phase compositions and morphologies of the coatings varied as the consequence of the formation of silica at the coating/substrate interface. Due to the evaporation and diffusion of silica into the upper layer, a porous interface was finally found, which led to the spallation of coating.